Clamshell package for holding and displaying consumer products

ABSTRACT

A system for holding and displaying an article comprising: a clamshell package comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing; and the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing; a security device comprising a sensor housing and a plurality of cables extending from the sensor housing; and the sensor housing nested within the well of the first base housing so that the sensor housing does not protrude beyond the bottom surface of the first base housing and the plurality of wires are wrapped around the clamshell package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/222,791, filed Jul. 2, 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to packaging containers, and specifically to packaging containers for use at the point of sale to consumers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clamshell or blister pack packaging is a very popular type of packaging for many consumer products, including electrical and electronic products, such as portable compact disc players, cassette recorders or players and other portable audio or video products. Quite often, the clamshell packaging is designed to be theft resistant while also enabling the product design and features to be clearly displayed to the consumer at the retail level. The benefits associated with using clamshell packaging include low cost and the ability to display the retail item directly to the consumer.

However, such clamshell packaging tends to be bulky and cumbersome to display in retail stores. Existing items housed in clamshell packaging are displayed at the point of sale by hanging the clamshell packages from a rod or other bracket that extends from a wall or display shelving. A hole is provided in the clamshell packaging through which the rod or bracket extends so that the clamshells packages are arranged in aligned rows. However, while clamshell packaging may be desirable to use in many instances, it may not always be desirable to display the packaged items in a hanging arrangement for either weight concerns, limitations on space, or marketing related concerns.

Examples of clamshell packaging and the basic manufacturing and structural details can be found in: U.S. Application Publication 2007/0187273 to Grosskopf, filed Apr. 25, 2006; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0057189 to Silvenis el al., filed Mar. 5, 2009; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,632 to Green, filed Dec. 17, 1999, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As with all retail packaging and items designed for consumer-level display, theft, tampering, pilfering and other security concerns related to the packaging and items is always a concern. Thus, it has become standard to utilize some type of security mechanism or measure to deter and/or prevent such theft, tampering and pilfering of the displayed items and packaging. One security device that has become popular over the years is an antitheft device sold under the trademark SPIDER WRAP™, manufactured by Alpha Security Products. The SPIDER WRAP device uses wires or cables to encircle a package, such as a clamshell package. The wires or cables are joined and locked so that they can not be removed from the clamshell packaging within a tamper-resistant housing or device, which often takes the shape of a disk. The wires or cables of the SPIDER WRAP device (other cable or wire wrapping security system) encircle the clamshell packaging in such a manner that the device cannot be removed from the package, nor the package opened, until the device is detached using a special detaching tool.

While cable or wire wrapping security systems, such as the SPIDER WRAP device, are desirable from a security standpoint, they are less than optimal in that they cause the packaging to take up additional valuable display space and often block the visibility of the item or its advertising card contained within the package. This is especially problematic for clamshell packaging in which one of the main benefits is the visibility of the item and advertising card at the point of sale.

Thus, there is a need for a clamshell package that can implement such security devices in a manner that does not take tip excessive space and provides additional theft deterrence. There is also a need in the art for a clamshell package that can stand upright in a self-supporting position, even when using a cable or wire wrapping security system. There is also a need for a universal clamshell packaging that can be used with different styles of security systems and can be easily altered to house different items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other needs are met by the present invention, which in one aspect is a system for holding and displaying an article comprising: a clamshell package comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing; and the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing; a security device comprising a sensor housing and a plurality of cables extending from the sensor housing; and the sensor housing nested within the well of the first base housing so that the sensor housing does not protrude beyond the bottom surface of the first base housing and the plurality of wires are wrapped around the clamshell package.

In another aspect, the invention can be a system for holding and displaying an article comprising: a clamshell package comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing; and the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing; a security device comprising a sensor housing and a plurality of cables extending from the sensor housing; and the sensor housing located within the well of the first base housing so that a major portion of the sensor housing is nested within the well so that the clamshell package can stand upright atop a surface in a self-supporting manner and the plurality of wires are wrapped around the clamshell package.

In a further aspect, the invention can be a clamshell package for holding and displaying an article comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing for receiving a sensor housing of a security device; the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing in a substantially normal orientation to the bottom surface of the first base portion; wherein the first base housing comprises a forward portion that extends outwardly from the first major surface of the panel; and wherein the forward portion of the first base housing extends outwardly from the first major surface a distance that is equal to or greater than a distance the blister portion extends outwardly from the first major surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a clamshell package for holding and displaying an article according to one embodiment of the present invention wherein hidden lines are illustrated.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1 wherein hidden lines are not illustrated.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the top portion of the clamshell package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the bottom portion of the clamshell package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a right-side view of the clamshell package of FIG. 1, the left-side view being a mirror image thereof.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a system for holding and displaying an article having a cable-based security device incorporated into a clamshell package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-8 concurrently, a clamshell package 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The clamshell package 100 is preferably a unitary plastic construction formed by an injection molding process. The plastic is preferably transparent. Sealing is performed by thermal welding, sonic welding, adhesion or any other means known in the art. As will become apparent from the discussion below, the structure of the clamshell package 100 is designed so that it can stand upright in a self-supporting manner when placed on a shelf or other horizontal display surface when holding a desired article, such as an electronic component or other consumer product. Additionally, the clamshell package 100 is specially designed so that it can accommodate a security device in manner that does not increase the overall space occupied by the clamshell package 100 and does not block visibility of the article or the advertising card held therein. Furthermore, the clamshell package 100 is specially designed so that its stability as a free-standing self-supporting structure is increased when a security device is incorporated therein.

The clamshell package 100 generally comprises a first base housing 110, a central panel 120 and a second base housing 130. The first base housing 110 comprises a bottom surface 111, a top surface 112A-B and lateral surfaces 113A-D. The lateral surfaces 113A-D connect and extend between the top surface 112A-B and the bottom surface 111 so as to form the first base housing 110 as hollow structure. Similarly, the second base housing 130 comprises a top surface 131, a bottom surface 132A-B and lateral surfaces 133A-D. The lateral surfaces 133A-D connect and extend between the top surface 131 and the bottom surface 132A-B so as to form the second base housing 130 as a hollow structure.

The central panel 120 is a substantially flat planar structure comprising a first major surface 121 and a second major surface 122. The perimeter of the first and second major surfaces 121, 122 are defined by a top edge 123, a bottom edge 124 and lateral edges 125, 126. The central panel 120 further comprises a blister portion 140 that extends outwardly from the first major surface 121. The blister portion 140 is preferably integrally formed from the panel 120 but can be formed from a separate housing structure protruding from a cutout. The blister portion 140 forms an internal cavity in which at least a portion of the desired product/article is housed. The blister portion 140 may be product specific in shape and size or may be of a standardized shape and size, such as cubical or semi-spherical. If desired, a second blister portion 141 may extend from the second major surface 122 of the panel 120. The panel 120 is formed of two adjacent wall structures. A product advertisement or product card can be positioned between the walls of the panel 120 and thus be located in the panel 120 itself. The blister portions 140, 141 can take up any contemplated area percentage of the major surfaces 121, 122 of the panel 120, even approaching 100% so that the panel 120 is not much of a planar structure but is merely a product holding area.

The first base housing 110 is connected to the bottom edge 124 of the central panel 120 while the second base housing 130 is connected to the top edge 123 of the central panel 120. The panel 120 extends upward from the first base housing 110 and extends downward from the second base housing 130. More specifically, the plane in which the panel 120 extends is substantially perpendicular (i.e., normal) to the planar top surface 131 of the second base housing 130 and the planar bottom surface 111 of the first base housing 111.

The top surface 112 of the first base housing 110 comprises a first section 112A and a second section 112E that are inclined with respect to the bottom surface 111 so as to converge at an upwardly pointing apex from which the panel 120 extends. Similarly, the bottom surface 132 of the second base housing 130 comprises a first section 132A and a second section 132B that are inclined with respect to the top surface 131 so as to converge at a downwardly pointing apex from which the panel 120 extends.

The first base housing 110 comprises a forward extending portion 115 and a rearward extending portion 116 (relative to a plane formed by the panel 120). Similarly, the second base housing 130 comprises a forward extending portion 135 and a rearward extending portion 136 (relative to a plane formed by the panel 120). The forward portions 115, 135 of the first and second base housings 110, 130 extend outwardly from the first major surface 121 of the panel 120 a distance D1. The rear portions 116, 136 of the first and second base housings 110, 130 similarly extend outwardly from the second major surface 122 of the panel 120 a distance D1. The blister portion 140 extends outwardly from the first major surface 121 of the panel 120 a distance D2. Preferably, D1 is greater than or equal to D2, most preferably the ration of D1 to D2 is at least 1.1:1. Making D1 greater than or equal to D2 ensures that the stability of the clamshell package 100 as a self-supporting free-standing structure is maintained. In embodiments where a second blister portion 141 is used, it also preferred that the second blister 141 extend outwardly from the second major surface 122 a distance less than D1.

The first base housing 110 further comprises a well 117 in the bottom surface 111 that extends into the first base housing 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the well 117 is a substantially cylindrically-shaped depression centrally located in the bottom surface 111. As will be described below, the well 117 is preferably sized and shaped to correspond to a sensor housing 220 of a security device 200 so that the sensor housing can fully nest therein so as to not protrude beyond a plane formed by the bottom surface 111. A plurality of linear channels 118, 119 are also provided in the bottom surface 111 of the first base housing 110. The channels 118, 119 extend from the well 117 to the opposing lateral surfaces 113A, 113C of the first base housing 110, thereby forming grooves/channels in the bottom surface 111 from the well 117 to both the lateral surfaces 113A, 113C in which cables 210 of the security device 200 can nest.

The second base housing 130 further comprises a well 137 in the top surface 131 that extends into the second base housing 130. In the illustrated embodiment, a first portion 137′ of the well 137 is a substantially cylindrically-shaped depression centrally located in the bottom surface 111 while a second portion 137″ of the well 137 is a rectangular depression that is coaxial with the first portion 137′ but not as deep. As will be described below, the first portion 137′ is preferably sized and shaped to correspond to a sensor housing of a security device (identical to well 117) while the second portion 137″ is sized and shaped to correspond to a lock housing 230 of the security device 200. A plurality of linear channels 138, 139 are also provided in the top surface 131 of the second base housing 130. The channels 138, 139 extend from the well 137 to the opposing lateral surfaces 133A, 133C of the second base housing 130, thereby forming grooves/channels in the top surface 131 from the well 137 to both the lateral surfaces 133A, 133C in which cables 210 of the security device 200 can nest.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a system 1000 for holding and displaying an article/product according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The system 1000 comprises the clamshell package 100 of FIGS. 1-8 and a cable wrap security device 200. The security device 200 comprises a plurality of cables 210, a sensor housing 220 and a lock housing 230. An example of suitable security device is the antitheft device sold under the trademark SPIDER WRAP™, manufactured by Alpha Security Products. The sensor housing 220 can comprise a tamper alarm, a sensor that triggers an alarm when passed through a screening area, and/or other anti-theft mechanisms. The lock housing 230 includes the necessary locking and anti-locking mechanism to bind the cables 210 wrapped around the clamshell package 100.

When assembled, the sensor housing 220 preferably fully nests within the well 117 of the first base housing 110 so that it does not protrude beyond the bottom surface 111. Similarly, the lock housing 230 fully nests within the well 137 so that it does not protrude beyond the top surface 131 of the second base housing 130. The cables 210 nest within the channels 118, 119 of the first base housing 110 and the channels 138, 139 of the second base housing 130, extending from the sensor housing 220 to the lock housing 230 so as to warp-around the clamshell package 100.

By nesting the sensor housing 220 within the well 137 and the cables 210 within the channels 118, 119, the security device 200 does not affect the stability of the clamshell package 100 as the bottom surface 111 can rest flush atop the support surface of a display rack or shelf. In fact, the sensor housing 220 actually adds to the stability as it provides a lower center of gravity for the system 1000. Additionally, by positioning the sensor housing 220 and/or lock housing 230 within the base housings 110, 130, the security system 200 does not substantially interfere with the visibility of the article located within the blister portion 140. As can be seen, only the cables 210 are located adjacent the major surfaces 221, 222 of the panel 220.

While a number of embodiments of the current invention have been described and illustrated in detail, various alternatives and modifications will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As various changes could be made in the above methods, compositions and structures without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in this application, including all mechanisms and/or modes of interaction described above, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting in any way the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A system for holding and displaying an article comprising: a clamshell package comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing; and the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing; a security device comprising a sensor housing and a plurality of cables extending from the sensor housing; and the sensor housing nested within the well of the first base housing so that the sensor housing does not protrude beyond the bottom surface of the first base housing and the plurality of wires are wrapped around the clamshell package.
 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising: the clamshell package including a plurality of channels in the bottom surface of the first base housing that extend from the well to opposing lateral surfaces of the first base housing; and the cables of the security wrapped around the package so as to nest within the channels.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the size and shape of the well corresponds to the size and shape of the sensor housing.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising: the clamshell comprising: a second base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the second base housing, a well formed into the top surface of the second base housing; and the second base housing connected to the top end of the panel so that the panel extends downward from the bottom surface of the second base housing; and the security device comprising a lock housing connected to the cables spaced from the sensor housing; and the lock housing nested within the well of the second base housing so that the lock housing does not protrude beyond the top surface of the second base housing.
 5. The system of claim 4 further comprising: the clamshell package including: a first plurality of channels in the bottom surface of the first base housing that extend from the well of the first base housing to opposing lateral surfaces of the first base housing; and a second first plurality of channels in the top surface of the second base housing that extend from the well of the second base housing to opposing lateral surfaces of the second base housing; the cables of the security wrapped around the package so as to nest within the channels of the first and second base housings.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein the size and shape of the well in the first base housing corresponds to the size and shape of the sensor housing and wherein the size and shape of the well in the second base housing corresponds to the size and shape of the lock housing.
 7. The system of claim 4 wherein the panel extends at a substantially normal angle to the bottom surface of the first base housing and the top surface of the second base housing.
 8. The system of claim 4 wherein the size and shape of the well in the first base housing corresponds to the size and shape of the sensor housing and wherein the size and shape of the well has a first portion that corresponds to the size and shape of the lock housing and a second portion that corresponds to the size and shape of the sensor housing.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the panel extends at a substantially normal angle to the bottom surface of the first base housing.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first base housing comprises a forward portion that extends outwardly from the first major surface of the panel and a rear portion that extends outwardly from the second major surface of the panel.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the forward portion of the first base housing extends outwardly from the first major surface a distance that is equal to or greater than a distance the blister portion extends outwardly from the first major surface.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the clamshell further comprises: a second base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the second base housing; and the second base housing connected to the top end of the panel so that the panel extends downward from the bottom surface of the second base housing.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein the panel extends at a substantially normal angle to the bottom surface of the first base housing and the top surface of the second base housing.
 14. The system of claim 13 further comprising: wherein the first base housing comprises a forward portion that extends outwardly from the first major surface of the panel and a rear portion that extends outwardly from the second major surface of the panel; and wherein the second base housing comprises a forward portion that extends outwardly from the first major surface of the panel and a rear portion that extends outwardly from the second major surface of the panel.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein the forward portions of the first and second base housings extend outwardly from the first major surface a distance that is equal to or greater than a distance the blister portion extends outwardly from the first major surface.
 16. A system for holding and displaying an article comprising: a clamshell package comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing; and the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing; a security device comprising a sensor housing and a plurality of cables extending from the sensor housing; and the sensor housing located within the well of the first base housing so that a major portion of the sensor housing is nested within the well so that the clamshell package can stand upright atop a surface in a self-supporting manner and the plurality of wires are wrapped around the clamshell package.
 17. A clamshell package for holding and displaying an article comprising: a panel having a first major surface, a second major surface, a top end, a bottom end and at least one blister portion extending from the first major surface and defining an internal cavity for retaining at least a portion of the article; a first base housing having a top surface, a bottom surface and one or more lateral surfaces connecting the top and bottom surfaces of the first base housing, a well formed into the bottom surface of the first base housing for receiving a sensor housing of a security device; the first base housing connected to the bottom end of the panel so that the panel extends upward from the top surface of the first base housing in a substantially normal orientation to the bottom surface of the first base portion; wherein the first base housing comprises a forward portion that extends outwardly from the first major surface of the panel; and wherein the forward portion of the first base housing extends outwardly from the first major surface a distance that is equal to or greater than a distance the blister portion extends outwardly from the first major surface.
 18. The clamshell package of claim 17 further comprising a plurality of channels in the bottom surface of the first base housing that extend from the well to opposing lateral surfaces of the first base housing for receiving cables of the security device. 